Animal Pairs - Random Trivia Questions

How can you tell an alligator from a crocodile? A butterfly from a moth? A frog from a toad? A mouse from a rat? A rabbit from a hare?

This week's themed quiz features multiple choice questions for a change. But don't think that means it's going to be easy!

Animal Pairs Questions

• Alligators vs. Crocodiles: Both alligators and crocodiles are large, aquatic reptiles that you wouldn't want to swim with. Which of the following is not one of the ways you can usually tell the carnivores apart?

  a) Heart chambers: 3 vs. 4
  b) Jaw shape: 'U' vs. 'V'
  c) Spots on scales: No vs. Yes
  d) Teeth visible when mouth closed: Upper vs. Upper and Lower

• Butterflies vs. Moths: Both butterflies and moths belong to the order Lepidoptera (and hence are collected by lepidopterists). Scientifically, butterflies are a subset of moths (i.e., all butterflies are moths), but in common parlance, butterflies and moths are considered distinct. Which of the following is not one of the ways you can usually tell the floating insects apart?

  a) Antennas: Thin vs. Fuzzy
  b) Number of wings: One Pair vs. Multiple Pairs
  c) Time of activity: Day vs. Night
  d) Wing position when resting: Up vs. Down

• Frogs vs. Toads: Like butterflies and moths, toads are actually a subset of frogs. Which of the following is not one of the ways you can usually tell the hopping amphibians apart?

  a) Eyes: Bulging vs. Flat
  b) Legs: Long vs. Short
  c) Skin: Smooth and Slimy vs. Dry and Warty
  d) Toes: Webbed vs. Not Webbed

• Mice vs. Rats: Both encompass a large range of varieties and make the timid shriek. For the sake of this exercise, let's just talk about the kinds you're likely to find inside: house mice and Norway rats. Which of the following is not one of the ways you can usually tell the disease-carrying rodents apart?

  a) Babies born: Naked and Blind vs. Hairy with Eyes Open
  b) Body size: Smaller vs. Larger
  c) Chromosomes: 20 Pairs vs. 22 Pairs
  d) Tails: Thinner vs. Thicker

• Rabbits vs. Hares: While bunny rabbits are lovable and cuddly (well, maybe not Bugs Bunny), hares got a bad name when Aesop detailed how one of their brethren lost a race to a tortoise. Which of the following is not one of the ways you can usually tell the furry vegetarians apart?

  a) Babies born: Naked and Blind vs. Hairy with Eyes Open
  b) Body size: Smaller vs. Larger
  c) Ears and legs: Shorter vs. Longer
  d) Lifespan: 4 to 10 years vs. 10 to 18 years